Given that 2,000 buffalo roam on the outskirts of Custer City, South Dakota, it’s not surprising that the town has a buffalo fixation. We found one on every corner!
This colorful creature was one of many buffalo sculptures we found in Custer City.
Over the past several years, Peggy and I have been in a number of communities that feature sculptures of animals. Several have been buffalo, but we have also seen bears, cows, horses, elk, and sandhill cranes. I’ve little doubt that other communities feature dogs, cats, pigs and rhinos. Rhinos? Apparently you can find a hundred of them in Cape Town, South Africa. We love the unique, colorful, sculptures. Like murals, they are attractive to locals and visitors alike, and encourage both community pride and tourism.
This ghostly buffalo…Was a lesson in buffalo anatomy, as well as a possible Halloween treat. All of the buffalo featured ‘keep off the buffalo’ signs like the one beneath the buffalo’s chin. I could see tourists climbing on top or plopping their 5-year-old on top for photos. Rare white buffalo were considered sacred by American Indians and played important roles in their legends.One side of the white buffalo sculpture featured horses that were used by the Indians for hunting buffalo.Several buffalo featured local scenery.And buffalos, including a painting of a very colorful buffalo escaping from a forest fire.This large brown fellow featured another large brown buffalo and a buffalo herd. We really liked the way the buffalo’s shoulder provided a three dimensional effect for the painted buffalo.A more abstract painting on another sculpture featured a buffalo, horse, possible medicine man, mountains, desert, and a lightning storm.A dramatic scene that featured a Native American with his dog and two lurking wolves.The artist for this buffalo sculpture in Custer City featured mountain goats, including one romping on top of its head. Note the scene on the back…It’s a scene from along the Needles Highway in Custer State Park, which is named for its dramatic rock formations— a must-see of the park. Mountain goats live there. We will feature the narrow, curvy highway with its gorgeous scenery and tunnels our truck could barely fit through in our next South Dakota post two weeks from now.
Next Monday’s post will feature the Egyptian myth of Osiris and Isis plus the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis near Cairo.
I love the bison – each so unique and creative!
In the big city near us (Calgary) the animal chosen for painting was a cow. The painting project was called ‘Udderly Art’. Calgary is, of course, home of the Calgary Stampede and is often referred to as Cow Town.
We loved our stay in Custer several years ago and exploring the Black Hills. I look forward to your take on the Needles Hwy. Back in the 70s, my dad actually drove the motorhome thru that tunnel. My mom sat on the floor with her eyes closed while my brother and I laughed.
I can’t believe your dad driving a motorhome through the Needle Tunnel, Ingrid. I may have been down on the floor myself! LOL Our truck barely made it, as I will refer to in my Needles’ post this coming Monday.
Oh these are great Curt. That one with the Needles Highway is especially impressive. Here in Van we have bears and orcas. And years ago I came across, of all things, elephants in Milan.
Alison
Elephants in Milan! Gunta just wondered if I had seen any animal sculptures in Europe. 🙂 I’ll go back and tell her that there are elephants in Milan. How big are the Orcas? Grin. Thanks, Alison. –Curt
I don’t think they had the buffalo when we last passed through Custer City, I imagine it depends on the town, but when we lived in Cape Coral they had dolphins; artists submitted proposals and found sponsors to support their purchase and installation. I have seen bears in Cherokee, NC and on the coast. Now after your post Curt, I will keep my eyes open for other examples.
One of my blogging friends just mentioned pelicans and herons near Houston, Ray. I too have seen the bears of Cherokee. Always fun. I suspect that many of the sculptures are paid for in the same way. Everyone wins!
Several reflected the Native American culture, as the white one did. I thought the horses on it were quite dramatic/mystical. As for the Needles Highway, Peggy, that’s my focus on next Monday’s post. –Curt
Bullseye. 🙂 Right. Probably some cow eyes as well, Cindy. Thanks.
We are back in Virginia after spending three weeks in Sacramento for Peggy’s sisters memorial and to help with the family.
😎 def that too.
Oh that’s a hard time. So sorry and regards to Peggy. Much love to you both! ❣️
Thanks, Cindy. Appreciated.
Always Cute. Hugs for a great day 🤗
What a treat! But how could you forget the Duck sculptures in Eugene? I seem to have a vague memory of a duck theme in Boston as well. Also there’s a vague recall of colorful seal statues in Waldport. Now you have me wondering if you encountered any of this sort of critter statues during your European travels? 🤔
Thanks, Gunta. Didn’t catch the ducks in Eugene, certainly appropriate, however. We did find a number of colorful seals in Florence. They even made it into one of my blogs. As for Europe, lots of horses but they usually had a man sitting on them with a sword. Grin. We found a bunch of mummified crocodiles in Egypt. Do they count?
A couple of towns over, it was the Pelican that took over; there’s even an astronaut pelican! Then, two towns in the other direction, they decided it was a good idea, and now they are developing quite a flock of herons. It’s such fun. Of course, Dallas had to take it to thenext level; they have a plaza filled with longhorns, all in bronze.
Fun it is, Linda. And I have to believe it’s good for the residents of the town as well as tourists. Herons and pelicans are certainly representative of your area. As for longhorns, I remember when the Burners from Texas created a giant one out on the Playa.
Speaking of Burning Man, Peggy and I have tickets for this year!
About 20 years back we had quite the herd of colorful cows here in Portland. I wonder where they went? Looks like Custer City has a lot of good artists, or maybe drew some for the project.
It would be interesting to know where they find their artists, Dave. Portland has no lack of artists. I’m sure. Custer City is a relatively small community, however.
This was such a cool place to be during our trip last fall – we covered every National Park/Landmark, but Custer City and the State Park were highlights!
Thanks. It really is unique. Next Monday I’ll be doing a post on the Needles Highway featuring the impressive rock sculptures and the narrow, narrow tunnels. Did you drive it?
Glad you liked them, D. Peggy and I had a lot of fun running around and photographing the buffalo. One advantage of blogging, it does encourage more attention to detail than we might normally pay.
It was fun. In Portland there are horses here and there, but I haven’t gone looking for them. I should!
Having one come to life in a fantasy book would be a fun twist, D. 🙂 Or how’s this: one has a hidden microphone. Whenever the person looks away and starts to leave, it neighs.
LOL. I sense a children’t story in there somewhere. 🙂
🙂
Very fun! I loved driving through that area and look forward to more photos from your trip.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Would be hard to pick a favorite art buffalo from these. Beautiful
Fun, huh, Karen. Next Monday I will feature the Needles Highway that was included on one of the buffalo.
How beautiful!
I love the bison – each so unique and creative!
In the big city near us (Calgary) the animal chosen for painting was a cow. The painting project was called ‘Udderly Art’. Calgary is, of course, home of the Calgary Stampede and is often referred to as Cow Town.
Udderly art indeed! 🙂 I went to the Calgary Stampede many yeas ago. (Make that 54). There were lots of cowboys in town as I remember it. Grin.
These are all SO cool! Thanks for posting these pics. 🙂 I enjoy finding cities that do this with various animals.
They are always fun, Crystal, and these had a great Native American theme. 🙂
We loved our stay in Custer several years ago and exploring the Black Hills. I look forward to your take on the Needles Hwy. Back in the 70s, my dad actually drove the motorhome thru that tunnel. My mom sat on the floor with her eyes closed while my brother and I laughed.
I can’t believe your dad driving a motorhome through the Needle Tunnel, Ingrid. I may have been down on the floor myself! LOL Our truck barely made it, as I will refer to in my Needles’ post this coming Monday.
Oh these are great Curt. That one with the Needles Highway is especially impressive. Here in Van we have bears and orcas. And years ago I came across, of all things, elephants in Milan.
Alison
Elephants in Milan! Gunta just wondered if I had seen any animal sculptures in Europe. 🙂 I’ll go back and tell her that there are elephants in Milan. How big are the Orcas? Grin. Thanks, Alison. –Curt
As big as the bears – life size 😁
🙂
As in big grizzlies. The elephants weren’t life size 😂
Ha. Too bad. Now that would have been impressive! 🙂
Chuckle, yes it would! Some here towards the end of the post: https://alisonanddon.com/2011/11/25/rome-and-milan/
The elephants were gorgeous!
I don’t think they had the buffalo when we last passed through Custer City, I imagine it depends on the town, but when we lived in Cape Coral they had dolphins; artists submitted proposals and found sponsors to support their purchase and installation. I have seen bears in Cherokee, NC and on the coast. Now after your post Curt, I will keep my eyes open for other examples.
One of my blogging friends just mentioned pelicans and herons near Houston, Ray. I too have seen the bears of Cherokee. Always fun. I suspect that many of the sculptures are paid for in the same way. Everyone wins!
What an amazing collection. I think I like the white one and the scene from the Needles HIghway the best.
Several reflected the Native American culture, as the white one did. I thought the horses on it were quite dramatic/mystical. As for the Needles Highway, Peggy, that’s my focus on next Monday’s post. –Curt
Wow Curt, these are right on the bullseye with your great captures! love the color alright and the bright pics! Where are you now?
💞
Bullseye. 🙂 Right. Probably some cow eyes as well, Cindy. Thanks.
We are back in Virginia after spending three weeks in Sacramento for Peggy’s sisters memorial and to help with the family.
😎 def that too.
Oh that’s a hard time. So sorry and regards to Peggy. Much love to you both! ❣️
Thanks, Cindy. Appreciated.
Always Cute. Hugs for a great day 🤗
What a treat! But how could you forget the Duck sculptures in Eugene? I seem to have a vague memory of a duck theme in Boston as well. Also there’s a vague recall of colorful seal statues in Waldport. Now you have me wondering if you encountered any of this sort of critter statues during your European travels? 🤔
Thanks, Gunta. Didn’t catch the ducks in Eugene, certainly appropriate, however. We did find a number of colorful seals in Florence. They even made it into one of my blogs. As for Europe, lots of horses but they usually had a man sitting on them with a sword. Grin. We found a bunch of mummified crocodiles in Egypt. Do they count?
Alison just told me she has seen elephants in Milan. 🙂
😳 🐘
A couple of towns over, it was the Pelican that took over; there’s even an astronaut pelican! Then, two towns in the other direction, they decided it was a good idea, and now they are developing quite a flock of herons. It’s such fun. Of course, Dallas had to take it to thenext level; they have a plaza filled with longhorns, all in bronze.
Fun it is, Linda. And I have to believe it’s good for the residents of the town as well as tourists. Herons and pelicans are certainly representative of your area. As for longhorns, I remember when the Burners from Texas created a giant one out on the Playa.
Speaking of Burning Man, Peggy and I have tickets for this year!
About 20 years back we had quite the herd of colorful cows here in Portland. I wonder where they went? Looks like Custer City has a lot of good artists, or maybe drew some for the project.
It would be interesting to know where they find their artists, Dave. Portland has no lack of artists. I’m sure. Custer City is a relatively small community, however.
This was such a cool place to be during our trip last fall – we covered every National Park/Landmark, but Custer City and the State Park were highlights!
Thanks. It really is unique. Next Monday I’ll be doing a post on the Needles Highway featuring the impressive rock sculptures and the narrow, narrow tunnels. Did you drive it?
We originally intended to drive it, but ended up running out of time! We want to do that drive next time we’re out there.
Very much worth it! My post on it comes up tomorrow. (Monday).
Those are beautiful, Curt. And they seem well cared for. Thanks for the wonderful photos!
Glad you liked them, D. Peggy and I had a lot of fun running around and photographing the buffalo. One advantage of blogging, it does encourage more attention to detail than we might normally pay.
It was fun. In Portland there are horses here and there, but I haven’t gone looking for them. I should!
Having one come to life in a fantasy book would be a fun twist, D. 🙂 Or how’s this: one has a hidden microphone. Whenever the person looks away and starts to leave, it neighs.
LOL. I sense a children’t story in there somewhere. 🙂
🙂
Very fun! I loved driving through that area and look forward to more photos from your trip.
Thanks Lexi. I found the whole region packed with interesting sites.